5.26.2017

GDW EVENT ALERT - MEMORIAL WEEK END AND BEYOND - ARE YOU READY?

This is a bittersweet time of the month for me - we are coming upon Memorial Day - and never has it had so much meaning for me - Four years ago I lost the Love of My Life, Lou Wilson; three years ago, my Mom, Ruby Love Dulan made her transition; and just three weeks ago, May 1, 2017, my favorite Uncle, LifeLong Friend and Mentor, Adolf Dulan, joined them in the realm of the Ancestor/Angels. Adolf was the Patriarch of the Dulan family - in addition to being one of the Finest Black Men on the planet - and he's left us all, including yours truly, with some mighty footprints to fill, and some wonderful examples to live up to.

So, before I put together this calendar of events, I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you here in Philly, New York, and especially Los Angeles for your love, well wishes, and prayers of concern as I and the entire Dulan family went through this most difficult time of our lives -saying farewell to Adolf.

In Oklahoma, our Memorial Day tradition was to go to the family graveyard - clean off all the tomb stones, wash them down and decorate them with flowers. We'd then say prayers for our ancestors. After that we'd have a Dulan Family Picnic with all the trimmings on the grounds my Grandfather owned in Luther, Oklahoma. Everybody contributed, and everything was made from scratch - Sweet potato pies, Devils food cakes, fried chicken, catfish, coleslaw, candied yams, tune fish casserole, and tons of watermelons (Granddaddy had his own watermelon patch - so you know we never ran out; don't forget the deviled eggs, (Ham - though I no longer eat pork, I did back then), and just about every condiment you could think of. Top it off with a huge galvanized tub of Granddaddy's home made punch. We'd lay out under the trees, chase around, turn flips, and do all kinds of fun stuff until the lightening bugs came out - then it was time to go home.

Memorial Day was originally started by Black people during the Civil War, when our fore bearers would come out to the battle grounds and bury wounded soldiers and say prayers over them. It's a tradition we should never forget, because there are so many who have made major contributions to us in their walk of life - and before we hang out, go to catch the sales, or just sleep in, we should definitely take time to pay homage to them. Name them, thank them, bless them, and borrow that virtues and positive examples from them and inculcate them into our own lives so they will continue to live on through us. And, of course pass them own to our next generation so they to will learn to value and cherish our people - we never know when it will become our or their turn to become an ancestor - so also remember to give them their roses while they live as well. I'm keeping this short - because, for me DANCE AFRICA is my Memorial WeekEnd Ritual. There are other events happening locally in your community - But remember, while you're partying, this is really about the Ancestors, without whom none of us would be here. So take time to give thanks and pay your respects. For me, Purple is the royal color of ancestry - so this will appear in purple instead of my traditional red.Stay Blessed ECLECTICALLY BLACKand Have a wonderful holiday weekendGloria

NOTE: THERE WILL NO DOUBT BE LIBATIONS AND MEMORIALS FOR OUR BELOVED ANCESTOR BABA CHUCK DAVIS, WHO MADE HIS TRANSITION TO THE REALM OF ANCESTOR ANGELS ON MAY 15, 2017 - He was a friend and one of my personal heroes -

I'VE ACTUALLY LOST TWO VERY PERSONAL HEROES IN ONE MONTH'S TIME - WOW!

Forty years after its inauguration under the artistic direction of Chuck Davis, the nation’s largest festival of African dance returns for a special anniversary celebration. This year’s performance, under the leadership of Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam, is a special curated program that pays tribute to the past, present, and future of the landmark festival and the transformative power of movement.

Members of Philadelphia's hip-hop based Illstyle & Peace Productions join with members of New York City's Forces of Nature Dance Theatre and the drummers and dancers of Asase Yaa, performing a joyful collision of traditional and contemporary styles. Then, Wula Drum and Dance Ensemble—a master group of US-based Guinean dancers and musicians—present a spirited showcase of West African culture. Both groups are joined by the BAM/Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble.

As summer edges closer, it's time for our green thumbs to "dig" into the 23rd Annual Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest! This competition is presented by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in partnership with Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Brooklyn Community Foundation, promoting neighborliness and sustainability.

Various prizes will be awarded to the winners for both residential and commercial blocks for categories including: greenest storefront, best window box, sustainable practices, and other greening efforts. I hope you take this opportunity to enter your block; the deadline is Thursday, June 1st.

This is a friendly showdown that strengthens our local environment, builds lasting community bonds, and improves a quality of life that every Brooklynite gets to enjoy. Get involved!

-Eric

P.S. Save the dates for these upcoming events, which I am proud to support, at and around Brooklyn Borough Hall; please contact our office for additional information

and visit our Bulletin Board to post items that can be shared across One Brooklyn:

P.P.S. I am excited about 10,000 Concerned Brooklynites, our ongoing effort to identify, organize, and unite people from all walks of life to build a movement which will actively contribute to the betterment of their communities.

Click here to sign up and join me and 9,999 other Concerned Brooklynites.

Recruiting for the "Montford Marines" began on June 1, 1942. Thousands of African American men, eager to serve, flocked to recruiting offices. The first black recruits received basic training at the segregated Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The 1,200 men in the quota were housed in prefabricated huts. Racism continued in the Marine Corps after the issuance of Executive Order 9981. Railroad tracks divided white residents from the camp for African American troops, and the black recruits were not allowed to enter the main base of nearby Camp Lejeune unless accompanied by a white Marine. By 1945, all drill instructors and many NCOs at Montford Point were African Americans. Between 1942 and 1949, more than 20,000 men were trained at Montford Point. In July 1948, despite strong opposition from Democrats of the segregated South, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which required the desegregation of the military. In 2012 the Montford Marines were finally acknowledged with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Former Mayor David Dinkins was a Montford Marine and is planned to be honored during the run of this play.

New Heritage is very proud to present Chosen

the story of 3 Jazz Musicians from Harlem who survived World War II and the racism of the military.

Please join us for this informative and entertaining theatrical event.

This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of

PREVIEWS FORKILL MOVE PARADISE
(Click Image to learn more!)

Set in an unearthly place, “Kill Move Paradise” follows Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny as they try to make sense of their new paradise while confronting the reality of their past in the world they have been ripped from. “Kill Move Paradise” takes the Elysium of Greek antiquity and flips the script. Inspired by recent events, “Kill Move Paradise” is an expressionistic buzz saw through the contemporary myth that "all lives matter.” It is a portrait of the slain, not as degenerates who deserved death but as heroes who demand that we see them for the splendid beings they are.

NBT is partially supported by grants from the Ford Foundation; Andrew Mellon Foundation; Howard Gilman Foundation; City of New York's Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Council Members Inez E. Dickens, 9th Council District; Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito & the New York City Council; New York State Council on the Arts and private donations.